Nureva’s Span wall collaboration system is going mobile

A new cart-based option for projector/wall collaboration system

Nureva is launching a mobile option for the Span system, providing the ultimate in flexibility for break-out groups or huddle room usage.

The Span cart integrates a full HD 1080p projector and customer-supplied PC within a sleek, mobile unit to provide a 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) wide image. Two infrared pens provide touch interactivity at the wall. Two or three carts can be linked seamlessly together to produce 12′ 4″ and 18′ 6″ (3.76 m and 5.64 m, respectively) digital workspaces. The Span cart complements the projected images of the wall-mounted Span systems in 10′ 2″, 20′ 2″ and 30′ 2″ (3.10, 6.15 and 9.19 m, respectively) configurations that have been announced and released over the past year.

The integrated projector features solid-state illumination (SSI) and 25,000 hours of useful life (similar to that of flat-panel displays) for long-term, carefree operation. The projector’s optics are optimized for the cart to be pushed up squarely to a wall (the projection surface) with no adjustments ever required. A VESA mount on the shelf within the open cabinet provides the option for top or bottom installation of the PC. All cables are neatly integrated within the cart with a single power cable out. HDMI and USB ports on the side of the unit are easily accessible. The swing-up handle can be used to push or pull the cart, and then dropped down and fixed in place while the cart is in use.

Durable swivel casters allow for simple movement in an office environment, and soft rubber bumpers provide protection when positioning the cart flush against the wall.

“With the increasingly open and flexible workspaces in today’s offices, the Span cart makes ad hoc collaboration easy and quick,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “Adding a mobile option to the Span system is a natural step to further support the existing innovation processes and working styles of our customers.”

The Span system combines a projection surface with an expansive 40′ by 4′ (12.19 m by 1.22 m) digital canvas. Participants create their ideas on their personal devices, either a computer or tablet, and share them in the cloud. The system draws upon familiar, simple and flexible tools already widely used in paper-based collaboration processes including sticky notes, sketches, images and flip charts. The digital canvas retains all of the flexibility that paper-based systems offer (e.g., large workspaces with persistent information) while overcoming many of the deficiencies (e.g., the awkwardness of physically moving large numbers of sticky notes, sticky notes that fall off the wall, challenges of including remote participants in the process, the need for transcription, and storage and retention of the work).

Stephen Noonoo

Stephen Noonoo is a former editor of eSchool News. He has served as a consultant for CUE, California’s ISTE affiliate, and as managing editor of its quarterly publication, OnCUE. He has worked as a freelance writer, an education editor for SmartBrief newsletters, and as a staff editor for a well-known publication focusing on education technology.